The work to create sustainable and responsible business decisions that satisfy a diverse group of stakeholders can be a challenge. As those tasked with designing social impact strategies, we’re required to invite our shareholders, customers and employees to join us in driving the change we seek to create. This looks different for different audiences, but the approach remains the same.
Our stakeholders must be able to clearly see themselves in a seat at the table and our responsibility is to facilitate that. Ensuring each social impact strategy has an objective that connects each audience to your goal is critical. This can be done by creating social media campaigns where customers promote and raise their hand to accept the challenge, by empowering employees to take agency in driving the solution home through volunteerism, or by measuring the impact of this work for shareholders, to demonstrate the social return on investment.
Melinda Gates said, “If we want to include everyone, we have to develop their talents and skills for the good of the community. That’s what inclusion means, everyone contributes.” As companies driven by our responsibility and desire to help create a society that is thriving, healthy and sustainable, we must be committed to this ethos.
This approach should be underpinned by how our companies can create effective, measurable and sustainable solutions in partnership with mission driven service-oriented organizations. There are real solutions to the wicked social and economic problems many face in the communities where our stores and warehouses reside. Let’s share them with the world.
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